Following a narrow defeat last time out, it is time for the Lions’ first home game of 2026, as promotion chasing Stockton Town visit Nethermoor, writes Scott Kelly.

Match sponsored by: Pickerings Lifts

“We gave them a soft goal from nowhere. It should have been a draw today, but we paid the price for giving them an easy start”

Ian Richards felt the Lions were deserving of a point based on the performance, but was unhappy with the ‘soft’ goal conceded just seven minutes in.

“They defended very well. We played more in their half than they did in our half. The performance was okay but unfortunately the result did not match it”

Full of praise for Warrington Rylands, Richards was still despondent after defeat but felt the Lions overall performance was good.

“I have got a lot of time for Stockton, I know them well. We’re at home though and our home form is excellent.”

Richards looks ahead to Saturday’s clash with Stockton hoping to continue the good run on home ground.

Team News

Boss Ian Richards gave full back Ed Devine his debut after signing on loan from Hull City U21’s. He will be pushing for a start alongside Archie Christie-Crainie.

Elliot Owen and Amir Berchil, who celebrated turning 25 in the week, should be fit after missing out last week.

Richards also confirmed Liam Ridehalgh and Jamie Spencer are improving on their return to full fitness but are still likely to be missing for the foreseeable future.

The Opposition

The Anchors are well placed to secure yet another play off place at the end of the season. Michael Dunwell’s side sit 5th heading into the weekend’s action, with a four-point cushion from their nearest challengers, however Gainsborough. Trinity have two games in hand on them.

It is a bit of a cliché, but all they can do is concentrate on themselves. They went five games unbeaten prior to last weekend’s defeat at home to Hednesford, with the Anchors being 1-0 up until a late Pitmen comeback gave them a 2-1 success. Stockton’s away form however is bettered only by last Saturday’s opponents with them collecting 19 of a possible 33 points on the road.

In the forward end of the pitch, Stockton have it all in hand too. 40 goals in 24 games is bettered only by league leaders Hebburn Town. Kevin Hayes is the club’s leading scorer with nine goals, and Joshua Scott has seven. Michael Sweet and Jake Petitjean have provided five goals apiece, so their goals account for 26 of their 40 goals this campaign.

Tom Coulthard could also be a thorn in the Lions side once again, with the full back scoring in the 1-1 draw when the sides last met at Nethermoor.

Ryan Barrett will likely play his first match since signing permanently from Alfreton Town. The full back had originally been on loan with the Anchors and made his move permanent earlier this week.

Previous Meetings

Guiseley have only won one of the five previous meetings between the sides. That was a 1-0 success in an FA Cup Qualifier back in 2019.

The last encounter at Nethermoor was a 1-1 draw back in December 2024, and all of the other three encounters were played on Teesside and all won by Saturday’s visitors, including a 2-0 success for them in the reverse fixture back in September.

Famously a 1-0 defeat on Teesside was overshadowed by Stockton fielding an ineligible player in last April’s play off semi-final, with the Lions eventually taking Stockton’s place to play eventual winners Worksop Town in the final.

Listen Live

As always our commentary team will be at Nethermoor. Live audio commentary can be found via the Mixlr app or on guiseleyradio.mixlr.com at approximately 2:50pm on Saturday.

Tickets

Tickets will be available to purchase from our turnstiles on Saturday priced at:

• Adults: £13
• Concessions (Over 66s/Students/Registered Disabled): £9
• 11-18 Year-Olds: £5
• Accompanied Under-11s: £1

Payment can be made via cash at all our turnstiles and card at turnstiles 1, 2 & 6. ‘The Lions’ magazine will be on sale for £3 from sellers near each turnstile and our Club Shop.

It is cash payments only inside the ground for magazines and 50/50 cash draw tickets. Food and drink from The Lions’ Diner can be paid for by cash or card and the clubhouse accepts and prefers payment by card.